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Release of consultation draft National Code for public comment

The Australian Government invites all international education stakeholders and interested parties to comment on a consultation draft of a revised National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007 (National Code). The National Code sets nationally consistent standards for delivery of education to overseas students.

Proposed changes aim to modernise and simplify the National Code so it can be easily applied by providers and regulators, and increase flexibility where appropriate and relevant for international students.

Key areas for reform include:

strengthening requirements for care of under 18 students to ensure a high standard of welfare is maintained during their entire period of study in Australia

introducing a slight increase in the amount of online learning that may be delivered to international students, from 25 per cent to one third of the total course

giving more guidance to providers in how they assess students’ requests for transfer to another provider, while maintaining the existing six month transfer restriction period.

The Government looks forward to receiving submissions from education institutions, peak bodies, international students and all other interested parties on the proposed changes. All submissions will be considered in finalising provisions on the National Code.

The closing date for submissions is 5.00 pm AEDT, Friday 10 March 2017.